Katsuben Talkies
Japanese silent films were always shown with a benshi's narration and a musical accompaniment. Since directors and their staff worked on the movies knowing that they would be screened in this way, viewing these movies today without sound is akin to watching an unfinished work. However, with the passage of time, the number of people practicing the art of benshi has fallen drastically. The "katsuben talkie" was created to keep this art alive.

In a katsuben talkie, the recording on the soundtrack of an narration by a top benshi and a performance by an ensemble combining Japanese and Western instruments make it possible to recreate screening conditions in the age of the silent film in Japan simply by running the film. (all are optical talkies) At present, there are about 40 katsuben talkies, which are loaned out all over Japan for screenings. There are all also films with English sub-titles among these.
*The films are also
available for rental for charged events.

Film Rental Charges (16mm versions)

Rental prices are set by type, in descending order of the following types: S A
B C D E

S

A

B

C

D

E

Charged screening (yen)

120,000

100,000

80,000

65,000

40,000

30,000

Free screening (yen)

100,000

80,000

65,000

50,000

35,000

25,000

(Price for one screening in one day)

Please inquire with us regarding screenings in venues of capacity smaller than 100 and multiple screenings.

In principle, we only rent movies to be shown by a projectionist. If you do not have a projectionist, we can dispatch one for you

Projectionist Fee (per showing within Tokyo): ............................70,000 yen
(includes all machinery, projectionist services and transport expenses).
We can also furnish estimates for dispatch outside of Tokyo.

Consumption tax is not included in the above prices. We will invoice for this
separately.

Also feel free to contact us regarding silent movies which have not yet been made into katsuben talkies.